The Search and Rescue Co-ordination Center Goch called me, some years ago, to the Stuttgart airport with the rescue helicopter of the Federal Armed Forces Rescue Center at Ulm. A single-engine sports plane, whose pilot was a student on his first solo flight, had tried a belly landing. Next to the runway, there were several fire-trucks, two ambulances and one emergency physician's car waiting. Our rescue helicopter stayed hovering for nearly one hour until the student pilot finally managed a belly landing. Safe on the ground, he was surrounded by firemen, paramedics and physicians, while we flew back to Ulm. We had not landed promptly I was told because of the landing taxes an army helicopter has to pay at a civilian airport! This episode prompted me to look for more information.

The Federal Republic of Germany is obliged by international agreements to search for planes in distress—no matter what nationality—to save the passengers and, if possible, the equipment and to provide medical treatment for the survivors if necessary. This Search and Rescue (SAR) Service is executed according to the instructions given by the International Civil Aeronautical Organization (ICAO). In the Federal Republic, the SAR service is provided jointly by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Transport. The Ministry of defense provides the means and the Rescue Co-ordination Center. The Ministry of Transport provides the alarm services through the air traffic control offices.